Ram Jethmalani embarrasses BJP, supports interlocutors

In an embarrassment to BJP, its Rajya Sabha member Ram Jethmalani on Tuesday differed from the party line and backed Jammu and Kashmir interlocutors. He said it was “childish and churlish” to say that the panel was internationalising the Kashmir issue.

The BJP swiftly dissociated itself from Jethmalani’s remarks, saying it does not subscribe to his views.

 “It is childish and churlish to attack them [interlocutors] for internationalising the issue. Atal Bihari Vajpayee by his confabulations with [then] president Pervez Musharraf and recently foreign minister SM Krishna confabulating with his counterpart (Shah Mahmood) Qureshi were exactly doing that,” Jethmalani said.

The eminent lawyer said that Padgaonkar and his team’s task of finding a “peaceful and lasting solution” to the Kashmir problem is “almost superhuman”. He prayed for their success despite having “serious misgivings” with their mission.

“Even if they achieve partial result, the nation would owe them a debt of gratitude. Neither by acts nor by words we should add to their difficulties,” Jethmalani said.

In reply to the lawyer’s comments, BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said, “Jethmalani ji is Jethmalani ji. Those may be his personal views. The party does not subscribe [to his views].”
The BJP had criticised Padgaonkar for saying there was a need to involve Pakistan on Kashmir.

“The interlocutors must observe discreetness. Indiscretion is irresponsible. They are not expected to give a running commentary and should work in a framework,” Javadekar said. He also objected to the interlocutors meeting jailed militants from Pakistan.

“They can have a dialogue with Indians but not militants sent by Pakistan. He [militant sent by Pakistan] is not a stakeholder in Kashmir or India,” he said.